I decided to take a Friday off to just veg out and PLAY with fiber. So since I've been putting off dyeing - don't know why, but I think it's because I'm a klutz and I'm scared of dyeing my kitchen countertop or floor by accident. But I summoned my courage, and a lot of protective plastic. Today was a real scorching hot day, seemed like the perfect day to dye some fiber outside on a throwaway tablecloth.
Started out by soaking the fiber in a water/white vinegar solution so it would soak up the dye well.
Then I carefully mixed Knitpicks acid dyes (dry in cannisters) with water into small jars. The colors used this time were burnt orange, vermillion and emerald green, but on these fibers, I just soaked them for a little while outside in jars in the sun, and didn't leave them long enough. Think maybe I got impatient? Anyway, they came out pale and EHHHHH. I've actually gotten better results from Kool Aid dyeing before. This is how the outside method turned out:
And then I tried one inside, in the crockpot with just the burnt orange, brown and fire red combined in one pot. I tried to keep three distinct sections, but they ended up sort of melding together. Still I LOVE the effect. I am calling this "Fire on the Canyon." Now I wish I'd dyed up a whole bunch more of it.
There's still a big learning curve. I want to learn how to combine and make multi-colors in one roving. Will have to study up and keep practicing.
All in all, spinning is way more relaxing and fun than dyeing, but I like the roving and it may be worth trying again, especially in the crockpot.
2 comments:
Oh, that crock pot fiber turned out lovely! You can always overdye the stuff if you don't like them, but I think they look pretty good too! :)
Just make sure to let things cool completely before you touch them and the fiber won't over process.
Wow, look how creative you were on your FIRST try!! I tried dying once with Kool-Aid and was not happy with my results at all.
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